John Henry (known as Dook to Jack Meader and Pumkin by his wife) passed away peacefully at home with his wife Agnes at his side, Monday March 26, 2018. John was born October 3, 1945 in Fort William to Millie Meader (Cahan) and John Kukkula, the oldest of 4 children. His father passed away when John was 5 years old and when he was 14 years old his mother married Jack Meader who adopted all 4 children to his name.
John started his career at Canadian Tire then on to the Kraft Mill at Great Lakes Paper Company. From there he went to sell automobiles at Kam Motors. After a few years he dabbled at selling Real Estate with lifelong friends David Gibbons and Frank Bortolin. After David’s untimely death in Hawaii in 1978 he returned to selling automobiles at Kam Motors which later became Badanai’s and remained there until retirement in 2001. Six months into retirement he became the courtesy driver for Enterprise-Rent-a-Car for ten years.
In his earlier years he was a member of Thunder Bay Jaycees, a volunteer for Volunteer Bureau and in retirement he was a volunteer driver for Red Cross.
John loved travelling and was happy to start the planning of the many car trips he and Agnes took to see Canada from coast to coast including Newfoundland. More car trips included 46 states over the border and flying to Hawaii (paradise to John & Agnes) on dozens of occasions. They also enjoyed numerous trips to England, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
John will be remembered and missed by his wife of 49 years Agnes (nee Nesplak), his sisters Mary Jo Clutchey (Fred), Betty Jane Deon, Susan Balabuck (Robert), Brothers-in-law Nick Nesplak (Veronika) and Werner Nesplak and many nieces and nephews. Father-in-law Nick Nesplak (Lotti Siegel). He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, mother-in-law Bernadette Josefa Nesplak and brother-in-law Harold Deon.
Johns favorite saying when asked how is everything it was “SUPER DUPPER”.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday April 4, 2018 at 1:00 pm in St. Patrick’s Cathedral celebrated by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla V.G. Interment will follow at a later time. Prayers will be held at the Blake Funeral Chapel on Tuesday April 3, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. As expressions of sympathy friends may make memorials to Parkinson’s Society or Operation Smile Canada.
